The Cross-bow does not appear to have been recognised as a military weapon before the close of the twelfth century. The term _balista_, by which it is described in monkish annals and other writings, is indeed found at an earlier period; but there is great doubt whether this earlier balista meant a hand-weapon, or one of those "gyns" derived from classic times. The later use of the arm seems confirmed by the fact that it is not found in pictorial representations till about 1200. There appears to have been an attempt to introduce it at the beginning of this century, but it was prohibited by papal decree as unfit for Christian warfare. A council in 1139, under Innocent II., has: "Artem illam mortiferam et Deo odibilem balistariorum et sagittariorum adversus Christianos et Catholicos exerceri de cetero sub anathemate prohibemus[222]." This denunciation was renewed under Innocent III.; but by this time Richard Cœur-de-Lion and Philippe Auguste had sanctioned the use of the arm, and the cross-bow was triumphant. Both Guillaume le Breton and Guiart place the introduction of the weapon at the close of the twelfth century; and both tell us that Richard was the first to adopt it, and that Philip followed his example. Describing the siege of the castle of Boves, Brito says[223]:-- "Francigenis nostris illis ignota diebus Res erat omnino quid balistarius arcus Quid balista foret, nec habebat in agmine toto Rex, quemquam sciret armis qui talibus uti." And again, writing of the death of Richard I., he makes Atropos speak thus[224]:-- "Hac volo, non alia Richardum morte perire. Ut qui Francigenis balistæ primitus usum Tradidit, ipse sui rem primitus experiatur, Quamque alios docuit, in se vim sentiat artis." Guiart has this similar passage:-- "Ainsi fina par le quarrel[225], Qu' Anglois tindrent à deshonneste, Li roís Richart, qui d'arbaleste Aporta premier l'us en France. De son art ot mal chevance."--_Chron. Métr._, l. 2644. The form of the arbalest of this time may be seen in our woodcut, No. 50. It was bent by placing the foot in the loop or "stirrup" at the extremity, and then drawing the cord upwards with the hands. At a later period, the bow was made much stronger, and of steel, then requiring mechanical contrivances to bend it. The arrow of the cross-bow was shorter and stouter than that of the long-bow. As may be seen in our woodcut, No. 50, it was feathered; a particular which is noticed in the _Roman de Garin_:-- "Volent piles plusque pluie par prés, Et les saiettes et _carriax_ empennés." This name of Carriaux (quadrelli or quarrels) was given to these missiles from the four-sided (or pyramidal) form of the head. Thus Guillaume le Breton, speaking of the death of Richard the First:-- "----Quadratæ cuspidis una Pendet arundo."